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70 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Formation of Moon |
Background Information: —Formation of solar system —Facts about Moon and it’s importance § Different Models associated with the formation of the Moon The best method for the formation of the moon. |
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Nebular Hypothesis |
The matter in the form of a cloud contracts and flattens into a disc-like shape. § ~ 90% of mass concentrated at the center of the disc due to gravitational attraction, it causes it to spin. § This spinning event causes turbulence in the cloud allowing for the matter to collect in certain areas § These clumps of matter then begin to form within the disc. |
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Nebular Hypothesis |
Collide, matter accretes forming proto planets. Clouds condense, heated, grav compression = sun formation. Fusion of H + He = NRG (ignite) Ignite = solar wind push light elements outward Planets near sun smaller but denser (less light elements). Outer planets = lighter elements low density but larger size |
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Moon |
4.5 GA (50Ma after formation of solar system) Impacts = crators (end 3.8GA) Influences Tides and Climate: Tides- grav pull = sea level Climate- tides limit currents in oceans, rotation change days |
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Giant impact Theory |
Canonical Model: Explains main details of the moon the best Lack of iron core, low density, and deformation of moon rock -isotopic ratios, flaws not as extreme as others |
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Banded Iron Formation |
BIF's Formed only during the Precambrian Neoproterozoic BIF's are different than Archaean & early Proterozoic BIF's in terms of chemical composition & depositional Processes BIF's require a stratified ocean and O2 poor atmosphere BIFs are important economically & are windows to Precambrian geologic history of the Earth § Mechanisms of BIFs deposition are stlll unresolved |
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Evolutionary History of Sharks |
Included in the Chondrichthyan Class Cartilaginous skeletons, paired fins, jaws, teeth, Pelvic claspers in males (mating) |
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Sharks |
Early Devonian to Recent Low Preservation Cartilage (fossilized teeth and scales dermal denticles) Articulate shark remain (E. Devonian) New Brunswick, Canada 65 Species in Montana (Bear Gulch Limestone) |
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Sharks P-T |
P-T extinction killed off specialized sharks. Mammals and reptiles florished, Sharks lost top spot apex predator, mosasaurs ate sharks. |
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Sharks Cret - Paleo |
Cretaceous- Paleogene mass extinction killed off the dinosaurs as well as the great marine reptiles. Sharks take role as top marine predator (easy food source). |
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Modern Sharks |
At the end of the Pliocene the great sharks went exRnct due to climate change that resulted in a fall in sea level. Sharks have been very persistent and relaRvely stable throughout their evoluRonary history… |
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Evolution of Seed Plants |
Modern plants and their role in the ecosystem • Descrip:on of early plant life • Descrip:on of the ‘Seed Habit’ • Progymnosperms and Seed Ferns • Consequences of Seed Plant Evolu:on |
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What is aSeed Plant? |
Any plant that produces seeds This includes: Gymnosperms (Coniferous plants) Angiosperms (Flowering plants) |
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Land Plants |
Early Devonian, No vascular tissue, used by later plants to transport water. Life cycle involved Alteration of Generation. Ancestors of modern Bryophytes |
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Alternation of Genera&ons in Bryophytes |
Reproduc:ve cycle occurs in two phases Sporophyte – produce spores • Gametophyte(s) – produce gametes • Both are free living
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Pros and Cons |
Pros • One sporophyte can produce many gametophytes • If the sporophyte dies the gametophytes can still live Cons • Requires a moist environment for fertilization • Both sporophytes and gametophytes have to be adapted to the environment |
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What Does it Take to Produce Seeds? |
Delivery of the male gametophyte to the female gametophyte (pollination) This Requires Retention of the female gametophyte, Release and transport of the male gametophyte, Capture of the male gametophyte, Produc:on and release of a seed |
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Pros & Cons of Seed Development |
Pros Allows control of fertilization conditions • Embryo is well protected from the environment • Germination doesn’t have to occur immediately Cons Pollen must be transported somehow • Potentially slower reproductive cycle |
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Progymnosperms |
Arose in the Middle Devonian • Possessed ferile branches’ • Ferile branches produced and shed spores • Still required water mediated fertilizaton • Shared many characteris:cs with gymnosperms • Vascular :ssue |
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First Seed Plants – Seed Ferns |
Arose in the Late Devonian Seeds produced inside a Cupule • Cup like structure Seeds protected by an Integument • Denser protective coating around the seed |
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Why was this Change Important? |
Seeds allowed plants to colonize harsher environments, Reduced dependency on water The term “endotherm” usually used inreference to warm-blooded animals (birdsand mammals) In contrast to ectotherms, who regulatebody temperature through environmentalconditions |
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What is Endothermy |
The ability to maintain an elevated bodytemperature by generating heat inmetabolic processes |
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Evolution of Endothermy |
Endothermy has evolved at least twice: once in mammals (Permian)and again in birds (Cretaceous) Advantageous to be an endotherm (live in large ranges due to own heat generation) Hypotheses for origin of endothermy related to survival of species Respiratory turbinates -> fossil record |
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Endotherm Thermoregulatory model |
Increased metabolism evolved so animals could live in coolertemperatures |
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EndothermAerobic capacity model |
High metabolism evolved in response to the natural selection of sustained physical activity |
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Endotherm Parental care models – “new idea” |
1. Parents trying to raise their young would benefit from sustainedactivity to hunt/provide food 2.High metabolic rates developed in response to incubateeggs and young offspring, decreasing infant mortality |
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Endotherm Respiratory turbinates |
Inhalation = cool air absorbs heat and moisture from turbinallinings Exhalation = warm air is cooled as it passes over turbinates Result = lots of water and heat conservation Fossil Record |
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Siberian Trap Volcanism |
Produced by melting of plume heads that originated at the core mantle boundary (fissures and vents) High volume basaltic eruption. Largest known continental flood basalt in the planet’s history Remnants of the volcanic activity that occurred in northern Pangea Rocks include: Basalts, Tuff and near surface intrusive rocks |
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Summary Siberian Traps |
Largest known con6nental flood basalts (most of its extent still unknown 3m c km) — erupted at about 249.4 ± 0.5 million years — Richest Cu-Ni-sulfide ore deposits in the world and high amounts of pyroclasts found |
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Summary Siberian Traps |
P-T boundary and Siberian Traps Causal relationship based on relative age of the events — Climate changes caused by the eruptions could have lead to the biggest mass extinction The sulfur content and possible rise of Continent due to plume could mean a short Icehouse period- indicated by regression Ceasing of eruptions could cause warming again- indicated by rapid transgression |
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Trilobite in Earths History |
521- 251 MA (Cambrian to permian) Marine Exclusive 20,000+ species (mammals ~5400) Well Preserved Fossils |
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Trilobite Morphology |
3 Lobes Left/Right Pleural Lobe, and Axial Lobe Cephalon (head), Thorax (body), and Pygidum (butt) Enrollment (defense mechanism) - rolled up |
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Trilobites Summary |
Trilobites are important for: Biostratigraphy Understanding early Arthropods Excellent example of “evolutionary arms race” Relationship of ecological pressure to evolutionstyle As an example of an animal that both survived andsuccumbed to mass extinction (Ordo-Sil. Late devo, end permian died off) |
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End Triassic Extinction |
Volcanism associated with break up of Pangea and the formation of the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province lead to a sudden increase in lethal greenhouse gases into the atmosphere This increased amount of CO2 caused the temperatures to rise and the ecosystems to dras-cally change |
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End Triassic Extinction |
The increased amount of CO2 also lead to ocean acidification which had a huge impact on the marine biotas The combination of all these factors is what caused the End Triassic mass extinction |
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Evolution ofVertebrate Flight |
Flight is defined as the ability to produce useful aerodynamic forcesby the flapping of wings Flying animals have sophisticated control and sensory performanceand a physiological system capable of delivering enough energythrough the contraction of muscles. |
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Aerodynamics of flight |
It implies that wings function as airfoils. This curved structure of the wings accelerates air passing above itwhile decelerating air below; this creates a pressure differencewhich is experienced as the lift force. This gives the most favored ratio oflift to drag while in flight. |
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3 Vertebrate groups (flight) |
Pterosaurs, Birds, and Bats |
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Evolution of Flight (Gliding model) |
the Gliding model for vertebrate flight is the mostrelevant model. It’s simple, primitive and realistic; this model showsgradual evolution which coincides with our fossil record. The stagesof evolution from gliding first using gravity, using simple wing flappingmotion to increase that glide and eventually specialize enough tohave a powerful wingbeat are in order of going from simple to morecomplex. |
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The Evolution of the Western Interior Seaway |
Early to Late Cretaceous Extensive carbonate reefs grew in the warm tropical seas of the Cretaceous. Cretaceous rudist reefs have high porosity and permeability, and are well-known sites of oil and natural gas accumulation. |
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The Evolution of the Western Interior Seaway |
Western Interior Seaway is one of the dominant source in acquiring information about the marine biodiversity in the past. |
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The Evolution of the Western Interior Seaway |
A series of volcanoes in western North America deposited ash over an extensive area. The volcanic ash is now altered to a soft clay called bentonite. These volcanic ash beds are useful in the geologic record because they are useful in correlation and serve as time horizons. |
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Evolution of Snakes |
Early Cretaceous (~128 Mya) Snakes evolved from lizards!´ They originated on land (as nocturnal predators) 4 legs, losses legs (catching prey or mating not movement) out grew them Venom evolved at a later date´ Snakes and legless lizards (glass) are NOT the same |
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Snakes vs. Glass Lizards |
Snakes: Unhinging jaw, locomation via sides and belly, no eyelids/ear openings Glass lizards: Inflexible jaw, Locomotion via sides, detaching tail, moveable eyelids, earslits |
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Snakes |
Snakes are POLARIZING! Studying the origin of snakes has helpedscientists further their understanding of theprocess of evolution Important snakes in the rock record(paleoclimate indicator, dinosaur predation) Origin of snakes is STILL UP FOR DEBATE |
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Duccan Traps |
Located in western centralIndia (NW Deccan Plateau). Made of Flood Basalts (500,000km2 area, 1m km3 volume) Late Cretaceous in Age |
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Formation of Duccan Traps |
Plume rises from deep mantle, layer above core-mantle boundary Head gets larger (incorps shallow mantle during ascent) Plume head partially melts to generate flood basalt (10-15%) Uplift and subsidence |
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Summary |
Eruptions lasted for 4 Ma Formed via a mantle plume Found fossils in the sedimentary layers within and belowthe basalts Contributing factor to the end Cretaceous extinction |
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Formation of Himalayans |
Pangea starts to rift apart in Jurassic period Early Cretaceous India heads towards Eurasia Late Cretaceous India approaches southern margin of Asia Middle Eocene (55Mya) : India began to collide with Asia forming the Tibetanplateau and Himalayas, at the geologically high rate of about two inches per year Middle Miocene: plate tectonics slow down to current day velocity |
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Formation of Himalayans |
The plateau formed as the result of collision and post-collisional convergence of theIndian subcontinent with Eurasia |
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Summary Formation of Himalayans |
Subduction of Indian lithosphere– Thickening of the Tibetan crust– Eastward extrusion of Tibetan lithosphere. Data indicated that extrusion of lithospheric fragments beyond the borders of theplateau correlate to trench rollbacks in the western Pacific and around Indonesia |
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Summary Formation of Himalayans |
Transformation from the older structural regime that dominated Early Cenezoicdeformation to the modern structural regime is related to the eastward migration of theeastern plateau margin into an are of weak lower crust beneath eastern Tibet. Much of the active deformation occurring is due to its high topography. 4.5cm/yr |
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Evolution of Whales |
Whales are large marine mammals, with astreamlined body, a horizontal fluke, a blowhole ontop of the head, and use lungs for breathing Whales are grouped into the infraorder known asCetacea Early Eocene (~50Ma) |
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Evolution of Whales |
Tells us a lot about the environment of the TethysSea and surrounding area ~50 Ma ago Evolution of Cetaceans is now one of the mostunderstood evolution pathways, and gives us veryclear evidence that evolution does occur, and is stilloccurring today Cetaceans are very important to our ecosystemstoday, as they are one of the top predators in themarine food chain |
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Arctic Ecosystems of the Eocene |
A biological community of interactingorganisms and their physical environment |
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Arctic Ecosystems of the Eocene |
Land bridges connecting NorthAmerica, Greenland, and Asiaallowed for similarity of over ½animals and plants. Isolated Arctic Ocean had lowersalinity than other Eocene oceans North Atlantic Land Corridor floodedduring middle Eocene |
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Arctic Ecosystems of the Eocene Environmental Conditions |
•6 months of darkness, followedby 6 months of continuoussunlight •Believed that there was no icepack in the area Early-Middle Eocene is the warmest interval during Cenozoic (0-<20 all year round) |
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Arctic Ecosystems of the Eocene |
Land bridges of the Eocene are the reason our present ecosystemsare the way they are •Some climate scientist believe that the arctic deposits of the Eoceneare a window into the future of global warming |
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Evolution of the Green River Lake System |
Studies have shown post depositional deformation associated with beds in the GRF. This deformation leads to all kinds of structures, but the one of interest is the oil-shale breccias. These deposits can be mined for economic purposes. This basin has been exploited for years and is becoming Americas most important producer of natural gas. |
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Evolution of the Green River Lake System |
The Green River Forma&on has excep&onal lagerstaae across its basins. —It is for this reason that it gives geologists excep&onal evidence for paleoenvironments and &melines |
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Yellowstone Volcanism |
Yellowstone National Park The features of the current caldera is approximately 50 km by 70 km The hotspot has been migra>ng from the Western margin of the con>nent |
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Yellowstone Volcanism 3 Seperate Eruption Events |
Island Park Caldera (2.1 Ma), Henry’s Fork Caldera (1.3 Ma), and Yellowstone Caldera (0.64 Ma) |
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Hazards and monitoring |
Monitoring of seismic activity, surface deformation, temperature changes, mapping, monitoring chemical signals. Hydrothermal explosions, earthquakes swarms, lava flows, cataclysmic eruptions. |
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Immigration of Humans to North America |
Paleoenvironment Ice Sheets covered Canada and northern U.S. Global T were colder (4-8 less than modern oceans) Lowered Eustatic Sea level (60m-120m) |
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Paleo Environment |
During warmer periods, glaciers retreated to create corridors along the Pacific coast and Plains east of the Canadian Rockies Corridors were the conduits for the immigrants to spread from Beringia to North America (N.A.) |
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Immigration of Humans to North America Most Plausible Hypothesis |
Coastal migration route Archeological site predates the bering land bridge by approx. 1000 years Monte Verde and Bu[ermilk Creek predate Clovis people. Clovis first model requires all older American sites to be rejected. Ice-free corridor lacked resources for survival – Environment was tundra dominated |
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Climate in Alberta Throughout the Phanerozoic Eon |
Weather is the daily changes in temperature and precipitation related to the atmosphere. Climate is the average of weather over long periods of time. Climate can effect the type of sediments deposited and rates of sediment flux Time line of Phanerozoic Eon (542 till present) |
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Use of understanding Paleoclimate |
Climate has a strong control on hydrocarbon potential within a sedimentary basin. Climate plays a foundation role in the stenography of the rock record. Has a strong control on the abundance of life Paleoclimate can help us understand changes and trends in our modern climate as it relates to anthropogenic forces. |
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Climate in Alberta Throughout the Phanerozoic Eon |
The paleoclimate of Alberta was dominantly influenced by cycling eustatic sea level changes through 2nd 3rd and 4th order events. Through the Paleozoic and beginning of the Mesozoic Alberta was dominated by tropical carbonate producing environments, that was greatly influenced by the Global climate. During the middle Mesozoic through to the present day, Alberta became more temperate while the more regional tectonic sefng began to influence Alberta climate. |
